The bracelet rolled.
Before Catherine could react, Maximilian bent and picked it up.
Still sulking, Catherine held out her hand. "Give it back." That bracelet was her favorite. They didn't make it like this anymore.
Maximilian glanced at her palm, then smirked and pulled the bracelet out of reach.
"Give it back," she repeated, stepping closer and trying to snatch it.
Instead, he caught her wrist.
Effortlessly.
Her protest cut off as he turned her hand over, his grip was warm, firm, and utterly unyielding.
"Hold still," he said.
"I didn't ask~"
He ignored her.
And for a heartbeat, memory surged.
A bath perfumed with steam… His hands offering her a bracelet… A vow whispered like salvation.
And then…
Her chest tightened.
She turned abruptly, intending to leave. She didn't care for that bracelet anymore. She didn't want it. Didn't want him.
But he stepped in behind her.
So close she could feel him without seeing him.
